Review of City of Life and Death (2009) by Teemu K — 06 Mar 2011
First comparable movie that came in my mind during my 2 hours of watching this movie; Schindler's List. In a way, this is the Chinese version of Schindlers list, equally impressive. Even better in some ways. Black and white gave the movie realistic atmosphere in this case. Difference with Schindlers list is, City of Life and Death managed to cut down the movie into 2 hours. And the story was told not just by John Rabe, but other fully 3 dimensional characters as well. John Rabe can be therefore compared to Oskar Schindler by his actions.
What I really liked in this movie, that it managed to deal with extremely serious and tradegic historical event in a way which looked at the matter from both view points. In this case, both from the Japanese and Chinese view points. And one could say, also from the point of ordinary Nanjing citizens.
Cinematography is excellent, acting is top-notch, music fits the story, and as a war movie, I felt it was done in a realistic way (unlike most of today's Hollywood movies).
My only disappoinment about this movie was the ending. The director tried too much to end the movie with a symbolic ending. In this case, even with such atrocities committed, life eventually wins.
This review of City of Life and Death (2009) was written by Teemu K on 06 Mar 2011.
City of Life and Death has generally received very positive reviews.
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